John Arthur, one of Cresselly’s best-known cricketers over the last half century, has sadly passed away and today PembrokeshireSport.co.uk is proud to reproduce a very moving tribute penned by the club, with some pictures that show his part in the club . . ..
Please note that John’s funeral will be at Pisgah Chapel, Cresselly, at 2.30pm TOMORROW (Tuesday, 16th January)
Cresselly Cricket Club lost a true stalwart this week, when John Arthur passed away peacefully at home on Friday evening (5th Jan) following a short illness. He was surrounded by his loving family.
John, who had recently turned 75, was born at Charlwood, Pisgah, Cresselly, and was brother to twins Nigel and David (‘Doffo’), and sister’s Marjorie and Dorothy. All three brothers, like their father Charlie before them, would become first team regulars for Cresselly for decades, and together picked up a host of league and Harrison-Allen trophies. This was particularly evident during the halcyon years of the 70’s when Cresselly had a very good side, with the Arthur brothers featuring strongly alongside a contingent of Cole’s including Maurice, Glyn and Selwyn, brothers Dennis and Trevor Chiffi, plus Peter and Philip ‘Spam’ James, and others such as David Cherry, Terry Harvey, Wyn Davies, Richard Harris, Mike Tennick, Roly Edwards, Nicky Evans, Dai Morris (and many others!).
John’s father Charlie was a bowler of some repute, who once famously claimed the very rare feat of taking all 10 wickets in a match!John himself was an opening batsman who after playing for the firsts, captained the seconds for some time. He was known for his stout defence and ability to play the long innings. He also perfected the late cut / dab shot, and once ‘carried his bat’ when he scored 141 not out against Fishguard away! Where this large score is slightly more common these days, this was a particularly big score back then!
Since finishing his playing days, John has always been on hand to help out on the ground whenever needed, and always followed ‘The Doves’ home and away with his wife Monica. His sons Julian and Damian also play for the club, and are fine players in their own right. More recently, John was particularly proud of the fact that his grandsons Charlie and Oliver are following the well-trodden path of the Arthurs in pulling on the Cresselly colours, and recently bought them both bats for Christmas.
John has always been a big family man, and was also super proud of his granddaughter Magi, and closely followed her progress with her horse riding. So much so, he recently built a fantastic stables and small paddock in their back garden so she could keep her pony!John managed to get to the latest club dinner in November where he presented Doffo’s award, and just three weeks ago, despite suffering with his illness, managed to get ‘up the club’ one final time, where he enjoyed an hour or two with some of his old mates whilst sharing some stories!
John will be sorely missed by everyone at Cresselly CC, and on the cricket grounds around Pembrokeshire. RIP John
